NJ A2252

Bill

Increases Work First New Jersey Child Care appropriation by $28 million in FY2026 annual appropriations act to ensure full funding of child care subsidy program.

Introduced
01/13/2026

In Committee
01/13/2026

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill increases the Work First New Jersey Child Care appropriation by $28 million, from $565.8 million to $593.8 million, in the FY2026 annual appropriations act. This line item supports the State's child care subsidy program, which assists lower-income families by paying a portion of their child care expenses. During the FY2026 Budget proceedings, the Commissioner of Human Services stated that the Governor's Budget Recommendation underfunded the child care subsidy program by approximately $25 to $30 million and, as a result, the Department of Human Services would need to pause enrollment and increase family copayments under this program at an unknown point in FY2026. Accordingly, on August 1, 2025 the child care subsidy program ceased accepting new applications for its largest eligibility group, the child care assistance program, and increased family copayments for this eligibility group from one to five percent of a family's income to two to six percent of a family's income. This bill appropriates an additional $28 million for the State's child care subsidy program, the balance of the funding shortfall projected by the Commissioner of Human Services after a $2.0 million increase was incorporated in the FY2026 annual appropriations act by the Legislature, to ensure the full operation of this critical program. The bill also removes budget language newly added in the FY2026 annual appropriations act that clarifies that the department may suspend the acceptance of applications for child care subsidies in the event of insufficient funding. Under the bill, budget language is added that requires the Commissioner of Human Services to resume the acceptance of applications for child care assistance and implement family copayments, at no more rigorous standards than those in place on June 30, 2025, thereby returning the program to its pre-August 1 policies.

AI Summary

This bill increases the funding for the Work First New Jersey Child Care program by $28 million for the fiscal year 2026, bringing the total appropriation to $593.8 million, to fully fund the State's child care subsidy program. This program helps lower-income families by covering a portion of their child care costs. The bill addresses a projected funding shortfall that had led to the program pausing new applications and increasing family contributions, known as copayments, which are a percentage of a family's income. By adding this $28 million, the bill aims to ensure the program can continue operating without these restrictions and requires the Commissioner of Human Services to resume accepting applications and implement copayments that are no more stringent than those in place before August 1, 2025, effectively reversing the recent changes and returning the program to its prior operational policies.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (9)

Yvonne Lopez (D)*, Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D)*, Shanique Speight (D)*, Joe Danielsen (D), Aura Dunn (R), Shama Haider (D), Ellen Park (D), Ed Rodriguez (D), Alexander Schnall (D),

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A2252

(3 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A2252
BillText	https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A2500/2252_I2.HTM
BillText	https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A2500/2252_I1.HTM

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
A6065	Increases Work First New Jersey Child Care appropriation by $28 million in FY2026 annual appropriations act to ensure full funding of child care subsidy program.	Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee	Carry Over
S2724	Increases Work First New Jersey Child Care appropriation by $28 million in FY2026 annual appropriations act to ensure full funding of child care subsidy program.	Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee	Same As
S4785	Increases Work First New Jersey Child Care appropriation by $28 million in FY2026 annual appropriations act to ensure full funding of child care subsidy program.	Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee	Carry Over

Bill > A2252

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (9)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary